Choosing the right turkey choke for your Mossberg 835 is crucial for maximizing your hunting success. The wrong choke can lead to poor patterns, reduced effectiveness, and ultimately, a missed opportunity. This guide will help you navigate the options and select the best choke for your specific needs and hunting style.
Understanding Turkey Chokes and Their Importance
A choke tube restricts the diameter of the barrel at the muzzle, controlling the shot pattern. For turkey hunting, you need a tight pattern to deliver a concentrated payload of shot at long ranges. The Mossberg 835, known for its powerful 3.5-inch magnum capability, benefits significantly from a properly selected choke. A poorly chosen choke can lead to inconsistent patterns, causing you to miss crucial shots.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Choke
Several factors influence the ideal choke choice for your Mossberg 835:
- Shot Size: The size of your shot (e.g., #4, #5, #6) impacts the ideal choke constriction. Larger shot sizes generally require less constriction.
- Hunting Distance: Longer shots necessitate tighter chokes for better pattern density at extended ranges. However, excessively tight chokes at closer ranges can lead to overly dense patterns that may damage more of the bird than necessary.
- Turkey Hunting Style: Whether you hunt from a blind, in the woods, or in open fields, this dictates your shooting distances and the type of choke that will deliver the best performance in your hunting scenario.
- Ammunition: Your chosen ammunition brand and its performance characteristics should be considered. Some ammunitions work better with certain choke constrictions. Always test your chosen choke and ammunition combination before heading out into the field.
Top Contenders: Best Turkey Chokes for Mossberg 835
While many manufacturers offer chokes compatible with the Mossberg 835, several consistently receive high praise from experienced turkey hunters:
1. Extended Extra Full Turkey Chokes: These chokes provide the tightest constriction, ideal for longer-range shots. They're excellent for open fields but may be too tight for close-quarters shots in wooded areas. Several brands produce high-quality extended extra-full chokes, so look for reviews comparing their performance.
2. Full Turkey Chokes: Full chokes offer a balance between pattern density and shot spread. They work well across a range of distances, making them a versatile option for various hunting conditions.
3. Improved Cylinder or Modified Chokes: These less restrictive options are best suited for shorter-range shots or for situations where a wider pattern is preferred. They offer more forgiving shooting and are particularly suitable for hunters new to turkey hunting.
Testing and Fine-Tuning Your Choke Selection
The best way to determine the optimal choke for your Mossberg 835 is through patterning. Patterning involves shooting your chosen ammunition at various distances with different chokes to analyze the shot distribution. This allows you to find the choke that provides the most consistent and effective pattern for your hunting style and typical shooting ranges. Remember to always practice safe firearm handling techniques.
Conclusion: The Right Choke Makes the Difference
Selecting the right turkey choke for your Mossberg 835 is a critical aspect of successful turkey hunting. By carefully considering your shot size, hunting distance, hunting style, and ammunition, and by conducting thorough patterning, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful hunt. Remember, the "best" choke is highly subjective and depends on your individual hunting preferences and conditions.
